Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A mobile terminal comprising: a receiver configured to receive a paging from a mobility management node in a network upon reception of packet data using a specific resource by a control node in the network, the control node detecting that the mobility management node has restarted by GTP (GPRS Tunneling Protocol) echo and maintaining the specific resource among bearers set between the control node and a gateway node, the specific resource being eligible for network initiated service restoration; and a transmitter configured to send an attach request to the mobility management node for re-attaching to the network upon reception of the paging.
This invention relates to mobile communication systems, specifically addressing service restoration when a mobility management node (e.g., an MME in LTE or an AMF in 5G) restarts. During such a restart, the mobility management node loses state information, disrupting ongoing packet data sessions. The invention provides a solution where a control node (e.g., an SGSN, MME, or AMF) detects the restart of the mobility management node using GTP echo procedures. Upon detection, the control node maintains a specific resource (e.g., a bearer or PDU session) eligible for network-initiated service restoration. The mobility management node then pages the mobile terminal to trigger reattachment. The mobile terminal receives this paging and sends an attach request to the mobility management node, reestablishing the connection. This ensures seamless service continuity without requiring manual intervention or user interaction. The solution leverages existing network protocols and minimizes service disruption by preserving critical resources during node restarts.
2. The mobile terminal according to claim 1 , wherein the mobility management node is a mobility management entity (MME) or a serving GPRS support node (SGSN).
A mobile terminal is configured to communicate with a mobility management node in a wireless communication network. The terminal includes a processor and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the terminal to perform operations. These operations include receiving a first message from the mobility management node, where the first message includes a first identifier associated with the terminal and a second identifier associated with a network node. The terminal then transmits a second message to the network node, where the second message includes the second identifier. The mobility management node can be a mobility management entity (MME) or a serving GPRS support node (SGSN). The terminal may also receive a third message from the network node, where the third message includes the second identifier and a third identifier associated with the terminal. The terminal then transmits a fourth message to the mobility management node, where the fourth message includes the third identifier. This process facilitates secure and efficient communication between the terminal and the network, ensuring proper identification and routing of messages within the wireless communication network. The invention addresses challenges in mobile network communication by improving message handling and identification procedures.
3. The mobile terminal according to claim 1 , wherein the control node is a serving gateway (SGW).
A mobile terminal includes a control node that manages data transmission between the terminal and a core network. The control node is specifically a serving gateway (SGW), which routes and forwards user data packets between the terminal and the core network. The SGW also performs mobility management, ensuring seamless data transfer as the terminal moves between different access networks. Additionally, the SGW may handle quality of service (QoS) enforcement, policy enforcement, and charging data collection. The terminal communicates with the SGW to establish and maintain data sessions, allowing for efficient data exchange while maintaining network connectivity. This setup improves data transmission reliability and reduces latency by centralizing control functions within the SGW, ensuring consistent performance across different network conditions. The terminal may also include additional features such as session management and security protocols to enhance data integrity and privacy. The SGW's role in managing data flow ensures optimal resource utilization and supports various network services, including voice, video, and internet access. This configuration is particularly useful in mobile communication systems where efficient data handling and mobility support are critical.
4. The mobile terminal according to claim 1 , wherein the gateway node is a packet data network gateway (PGW).
A mobile terminal is configured to communicate with a network through a gateway node, which serves as an interface between the mobile terminal and a packet data network. The gateway node manages data routing, policy enforcement, and connectivity for the mobile terminal. In this configuration, the gateway node is specifically a Packet Data Network Gateway (PGW), a core network component in mobile communication systems that handles IP address allocation, packet filtering, and data session management. The PGW ensures seamless data transmission between the mobile terminal and external packet-switched networks, such as the internet, while enforcing quality of service (QoS) policies and security measures. This setup enables efficient data exchange while maintaining network security and performance. The mobile terminal interacts with the PGW to establish, maintain, and terminate data sessions, allowing for reliable and secure communication over the network. The PGW also supports mobility management, ensuring continuous connectivity as the mobile terminal moves across different network areas. This configuration is particularly relevant in 3GPP-based networks, where the PGW plays a critical role in managing data traffic for mobile devices.
5. A control node in a network comprising: a controller configured to detect that a mobility management node in the network has restarted by GTP (GPRS Tunneling Protocol) echo and to maintain a specific resource among bearers set between the control node and a gateway node, the specific resource being eligible for network initiated service restoration; a receiver configured to receive a packet data using the maintained specific resource; and a transmitter configured to send a downlink data notification message to the mobility management node upon reception of the packet data.
This invention relates to network control systems, specifically addressing the problem of service disruption when a mobility management node (e.g., an MME in LTE or AMF in 5G) restarts. During such events, existing bearers between a control node (e.g., a serving gateway or session management function) and a gateway node (e.g., a packet data network gateway) may be lost, leading to service interruptions. The invention provides a control node that detects a mobility management node restart using GTP echo requests and maintains specific bearers eligible for network-initiated service restoration. Upon detecting a restart, the control node preserves these bearers, allowing it to receive packet data even when the mobility management node is temporarily unavailable. When packet data arrives, the control node sends a downlink data notification message to the mobility management node, enabling the network to restore services without manual intervention. This ensures continuous service delivery during mobility management node restarts, improving network reliability. The solution leverages existing GTP protocols and does not require additional signaling, making it efficient and scalable.
6. The control node according to claim 5 , wherein the mobility management node is a mobility management entity (MME) or a serving GPRS support node (SGSN).
This invention relates to wireless communication systems, specifically to a control node that manages mobility for user devices in a network. The problem addressed is the need for efficient and flexible mobility management in heterogeneous networks, where user devices may move between different access technologies or network nodes. The control node is designed to interact with a mobility management node, which can be either a Mobility Management Entity (MME) or a Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN), to handle mobility-related functions such as tracking user device locations, managing handover procedures, and maintaining connectivity as devices transition between different network areas. The control node ensures seamless mobility by coordinating with the mobility management node to update device locations, manage session continuity, and optimize network resource usage. This approach improves network efficiency, reduces signaling overhead, and enhances user experience by minimizing service disruptions during mobility events. The invention is particularly useful in 3G and 4G networks, where MMEs and SGSNs play critical roles in mobility management.
7. The control node according to claim 5 , wherein the control node is a serving gateway (SGW).
A control node in a wireless communication network manages data routing and mobility for user devices. The control node is specifically configured as a serving gateway (SGW), which acts as an anchor point for user data during mobility events, such as handover between base stations. The SGW handles the transfer of user data between the radio access network and the core network, ensuring seamless connectivity as devices move across different network areas. It also performs functions like packet routing, mobility management, and lawful interception support. The control node may further include a processor and memory to execute these functions, along with interfaces to communicate with other network elements like base stations and policy control nodes. This configuration improves data handling efficiency and reduces latency in mobile networks by centralizing key control and data forwarding operations within the SGW. The solution addresses challenges in maintaining consistent service quality during user mobility and optimizing network resource utilization.
8. The control node according to claim 5 , wherein the gateway node is a packet data network gateway (PGW).
A control node in a wireless communication system manages data routing between a user device and a packet data network gateway (PGW). The control node determines whether a data packet from the user device should be routed to the PGW or another network node based on predefined criteria, such as packet type, destination address, or quality of service requirements. The control node dynamically adjusts routing decisions to optimize network performance, reduce latency, or balance traffic load. The PGW serves as the gateway between the wireless network and external packet data networks, handling tasks like IP address assignment, policy enforcement, and data packet forwarding. The control node's routing logic ensures efficient data flow while maintaining service quality for the user device. This approach improves network resource utilization and supports seamless connectivity in heterogeneous network environments.
9. A system for a network comprising: a controller; and a memory operatively coupled with the controller, wherein the controller is configured to: detect that a mobility management node in the network has restarted by GTP (GPRS Tunneling Protocol) echo; maintain a specific resource among bearers set between a control node in the network and a gateway node, the specific resource being eligible for network initiated service restoration; receive a packet data using the maintained specific resource; send a downlink data notification message to the mobility management node upon reception of the packet data; receive, by a mobile terminal, a paging from the mobility management node; and send, by the mobile terminal, an attach request to the mobility management node for re-attaching to the network upon reception of the paging.
This system addresses the problem of service disruption in a network when a mobility management node restarts, particularly in networks using GPRS Tunneling Protocol (GTP). The system ensures seamless service restoration by maintaining specific resources among bearers between a control node and a gateway node, which are eligible for network-initiated service restoration. Upon detecting a mobility management node restart via GTP echo, the system preserves these resources to avoid service interruption. When packet data is received using the maintained resource, the system sends a downlink data notification message to the mobility management node. The mobile terminal then receives a paging message from the mobility management node and responds by sending an attach request to re-establish its connection to the network. This approach minimizes downtime and ensures continuous service availability during node restarts. The system leverages existing network protocols and components to restore connectivity efficiently without requiring additional infrastructure.
10. The system according to claim 9 , wherein the mobility management node is a mobility management entity (MME) or a serving GPRS support node (SGSN).
A system for managing mobility in wireless communication networks addresses the challenge of efficiently handling user device mobility across different network nodes. The system includes a mobility management node that communicates with a base station and a core network to facilitate seamless handover and session continuity for user devices as they move between different network areas. The mobility management node is responsible for tracking device locations, managing authentication, and coordinating data routing. In this system, the mobility management node can be either a Mobility Management Entity (MME) or a Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN), depending on the network architecture. The MME is used in LTE (4G) networks, while the SGSN is used in earlier 2G/3G networks. Both nodes perform similar functions, such as managing mobility, security, and session management, but operate within different protocol frameworks. The system ensures that user devices maintain connectivity and service quality during transitions between network nodes, improving overall network performance and user experience. The mobility management node interacts with the base station to handle signaling and data forwarding, while also coordinating with the core network to update device location information and manage network resources. This approach optimizes network efficiency and reduces latency during mobility events.
11. The system according to claim 9 , wherein the control node is a serving gateway (SGW).
A system for managing network traffic in a wireless communication network addresses the challenge of efficiently routing data between user devices and core network functions. The system includes a control node that monitors and manages data flows to optimize performance and resource utilization. Specifically, the control node is a serving gateway (SGW), which acts as an intermediary between the radio access network and the core network. The SGW processes and forwards user data packets, enforces quality of service (QoS) policies, and maintains session continuity. It also interacts with other network elements, such as mobility management entities (MMEs) and packet data network gateways (PGWs), to ensure seamless data transmission. The system may further include a policy control function (PCF) that provides rules for traffic management, and a user equipment (UE) device that communicates with the network. The SGW dynamically adjusts data routing based on network conditions, user requirements, and policy directives to enhance efficiency and reliability. This approach improves data handling in mobile networks by reducing latency, optimizing bandwidth usage, and ensuring consistent service quality.
12. The system according to claim 9 , wherein the gateway node is a packet data network gateway (PGW).
A system for managing network traffic in a wireless communication network addresses the challenge of efficiently routing data between user devices and external packet data networks. The system includes a gateway node that serves as an interface between a core network and external networks, such as the internet or private data networks. This gateway node is specifically configured as a packet data network gateway (PGW), which is responsible for allocating IP addresses, managing quality of service (QoS), and enforcing policy rules for data sessions. The system further includes a control node that dynamically configures the gateway node to optimize traffic routing based on network conditions, user preferences, or service requirements. The control node may adjust routing paths, apply traffic shaping policies, or select appropriate network interfaces to ensure efficient and reliable data transmission. Additionally, the system may include a monitoring module that tracks network performance metrics, such as latency, throughput, and packet loss, to enable real-time adjustments. By integrating these components, the system enhances network performance, reduces congestion, and improves the overall user experience in wireless communication environments.
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March 17, 2020
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